Claudia Gilbert
Master's degree in virology and immunology (2022)
Research assistant, CHU Sainte-Justine
“I chose INRS because it's a research-focused university, which allowed me to concentrate on anything more applied.”
Claudia Gilbert is a passionate researcher whose career illustrates the importance of training and support in a scientific career. From her first steps in the laboratory, she discovered a passion for applied research that led her to a career in oncology. Her journey, marked by learning, autonomy and enriching encounters, bears witness to the lasting impact of her time at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS).
Claudia Gilbert first came into contact with INRS during an internship she did in the summer of her second year of undergraduate studies. Enchanted by the experience, she continued her involvement with the laboratory on a part-time basis during her third year of study. This immersion in an applied research environment played a decisive role in her decision to undertake a master's degree in virology and immunology at INRS.
“I chose INRS because it's a research-focused university, which allowed me to concentrate on anything more applied.” Her program of study was not based on traditional courses, but rather on cutting-edge research, and that's what she was passionate about.
During her Master's degree, Claudia developed a wide range of technical and analytical skills. In particular, her time at INRS enabled her to acquire considerable autonomy in the design and implementation of research protocols. “I think it enabled me to be the researcher I am today.”
Beyond the scientific skills she acquired, Claudia remembers the richness of the human relationships she forged at the Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie (AFSB). The bonds she forged with her colleagues were essential: “Graduate studies are an intense journey, and having a close-knit community helps you through the ups and downs,” she says. Even today, she keeps in touch with many of them.
“When I was writing my dissertation, I started looking for job offers. This was a little after the start of the pandemic.” She quickly found a position at Sainte-Justine Hospital, which enabled her to start her career even before officially completing her master's degree.
Today, she works in a research laboratory focused on oncology and pharmacology, contributing to the development of new technologies to precisely target cancer cells and thus improve treatments.
She feels that her time at INRS has provided her with a diverse scientific background and enabled her to collaborate with other researchers. This experience is an invaluable asset in her current job, where she has to supervise students and manage several research projects simultaneously.
“If I had to give one piece of advice to current students, it would be not to be afraid of going to other laboratories, to see other people. There are so many different projects and so much expertise. Talking to other researchers can not only help solve technical problems, but also open up unsuspected perspectives for their own research.”
Passionate about science and determined to continue contributing to medical research, Claudia plans to pursue her career in this field. She loves knowing that her work can have a tangible impact on treatments and patients, and that's what motivates her every day.
[Interviewed in February 2025.]